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Hospices Receive Vital Funding To Support Work During Covid-19 Pandemic After Lawyers Recover more than £220,000

19.05.2020

Irwin Mitchell Recoup Money On Behalf Of Families Whose Loved Ones Received End Of Life Care

They provide an essential service for hundreds of thousands of people at the end of their life each year, and now Britain’s hospices are facing their own battle for survival.

The country’s charity sector is facing a financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic which has seen charity shops closed and major fundraising events cancelled.

UK charities have estimated they face a £4 billion shortfall with major organisations warning of serious drops in income, potentially hitting some of society’s most vulnerable people when they need help the most. So severe has been the extent of the income reduction for some hospices as a consequence of the COVID19 crisis, that there are even reports of hospices being closed to make financial savings.

Now relatives of loved ones cared for in hospices before their death are helping to provide a much-needed funding boost, allowing them to maintain their vital services.

Since the beginning of 2020 alone, national law firm Irwin Mitchell has recovered more than £220,000 to support the work of hospices following legal cases where patients have died from mesothelioma – a form of terminal cancer linked to asbestos, often decades previously.

Ian Bailey is a partner and specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at the London office of Irwin Mitchell. He has recovered tens of thousands of pounds for hospices.

Expert Opinion

“Hospices are vital in providing frontline care to almost 250,000 vulnerable people and their relatives each year at a very sensitive and emotional time for families.

“Many hospices are now facing their own challenges to survive and keep on providing quality end-of-life care.

“We hope that the funding we have managed to recover for hospices from our clients’ claims means sites across the country can keep providing the specialist care so many people rely on, particularly in these unprecedented times.” Ian Bailey - Partner

It was in 2010 that Irwin Mitchell began to recover funds for hospices following a landmark judgment the law firm secured which ruled that the insurers of a company responsible for the death of a worker from an asbestos-related disease should contribute to the cost of the care provided to the victim by the hospice.

Expert Opinion

“Nothing can ever make up for the death of a loved one but the families we support are always very clear that, where possible, they want the hospice that provided exceptional care to their loved one to benefit.

“Times are incredibly challenging for the charity sector which is reliant on the generosity of communities. It is therefore essential that we are able to continue to provide financial support for our amazing hospices and their dedicated staff to ensure they can continue to care for people with empathy and dignity at such a difficult time.” Ian Bailey - Partner

Shaun O’Leary, Joint Chief Executive at St Christopher’s Hospice which cares for terminally ill patients in Sydenham, south-east London, and also in Orpington, Kent, added: “Hospices such as our own are extremely reliant upon the generosity of the public to maintain the high quality care that terminally ill patients need at the end of their lives. We are grateful to Irwin Mitchell and their clients in supporting our work at this extraordinarily difficult time.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people diagnosed with industrial illness at our asbestos-related disease section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.

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